A genuine weekend institution across the UAE — a long, multi-course, often all-inclusive midday meal that's as much a social event as a meal.
Distinct from a Western hotel breakfast buffet, a UAE Friday brunch is typically a multi-hour, multi-restaurant spread at a hotel, often including a set price for food and, at licensed venues, a range of drinks — running roughly from late morning into the afternoon. It's become a genuine social institution, particularly among residents, and a fun way for visitors to sample a huge range of cuisines in one sitting.
Options range from relaxed, family-friendly spreads with live cooking stations and kids' entertainment, to livelier, music-driven brunches aimed at a younger crowd. Hotel brunches along the Corniche and on Yas Island are generally the most established; check whether drinks are included, since pricing varies significantly between soft-drink-only and full-beverage packages.
